King Ram Khamhaeng—Sukhothai, Thailand.
Posted by: 
Ianatlarge
N 17° 01.194 E 099° 42.282
47Q E 575004 N 1881891
A statue of the leading King of the Sukhothai Kingdom, located in the old city of Sukhothai.
Waymark Code: WMDQ1T
Location: Thailand
Date Posted: 02/12/2012
Views: 1
The Sukhothai Kingdom was the first independent Thai state, it occupied much of what is now northern Thailand, and existed between the 13th and 15th centuries. Its leading King was Pho Khun Ram Khamhaeng (b. 1237–1247 – d. 1298). He was the third king of the Phra Ruang dynasty.
This King is credited with the creation of the Thai alphabet, and the establishment of Theravada Buddhism (still the dominant form in modern Thailand) as the state religion. He also oversaw a blossoming of Thai culture, and a growing economy. As the Sukhothai Kingdom existed on the western edge of the then dominant Kymer Empire, thus it could be assumed that statesmanship played a major role in his reign.
This statue of the king is located in the Sukhothai World Heritage Park, which is 12kms to the west of the new city of Sukhothai, in northern Thailand. The statue and its dais are an elaborate affair. There is a water feature on the approach, then a series of steps, before one reaches the seated King. The King is seated, holding a book, no doubt symbolising his cultural accomplishments. Adjacent to the King is a small sword. He gazes a little to his left, towards the entrance to the park. The statue appears larger than life-sized, and is black. Rather difficult to discern in the bright, white daylight. As with most public statues in Thailand this is also a shrine.
URL of the statue: Not listed
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